What is the False Claims Act (Qui tam)?
The False Claims Act is 31 U.S.C. Sections 3729 through 3733. Qui tam lawsuits, under the False Claims Act, allow persons and entities with evidence of fraud against federal programs or contracts to sue the wrongdoer on behalf of the United States Government. In Qui tam actions, the government has the right to intervene and join the action. Qui tam is a Latin expression meaning, “he who brings an action for the King as well as himself.” The person filing the suit is legally referred to as the “relator” in a qui tam lawsuit. False Claims Act suits are often related to Medicare, Medicaid or other health care fraud, defense department fraud and contracting fraud.
